If you need support right now

You are not alone, and help is available. Many people have walked through this and come out the other side. Reach out to any of the services below whenever you are ready.

  • Miscarriage Association helpline: 0303 003 6464
  • Tommy's helpline: 0800 014 7800 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm)
  • NHS 111 for urgent medical advice: call 111

If you are experiencing heavy bleeding, severe pain, shoulder tip pain or feel faint, call 999 or go to A&E immediately.

This information is for general guidance only.

It does not replace advice from your midwife, GP or early pregnancy unit. Read more about our approach.

Miscarriage: symptoms, causes and support

Miscarriage is the loss of a pregnancy before 24 weeks. It is far more common than many people realise, affecting around 1 in 8 known pregnancies, with many more happening before a pregnancy is even confirmed. So much of it happens quietly, behind closed doors, which can make going through it feel very lonely. It isn't.

Most miscarriages happen because of a chromosomal problem in the pregnancy that occurs by chance at fertilisation. They are almost never caused by anything either parent did or did not do. A miscarriage is not your fault. This guide walks through the signs to watch for, what to expect medically, and the UK organisations and people who are there to support you.

How common is miscarriage?

  • Around 1 in 8 known pregnancies end in miscarriage.
  • Many more happen very early, before the person knows they are pregnant.
  • Recurrent miscarriage (3 or more in a row) affects around 1 in 100 couples.
  • Most people who experience a miscarriage go on to have a successful pregnancy.
  • Risk is highest in the first 12 weeks and falls sharply after the dating scan.

Symptoms to watch for

Vaginal bleeding

Spotting (pink, red or brown), light bleeding needing a pad, or heavier red bleeding with clots. Some bleeding in early pregnancy is not miscarriage, so always get it checked. Contact your midwife, GP or NHS 111 as soon as possible.

Cramping and pain

Cramping or pain in the lower tummy, similar to period pain but often more intense. It can happen with or without bleeding. Call your maternity unit or GP for assessment.

Loss of pregnancy symptoms

Nausea or breast tenderness fading suddenly can sometimes point to a missed miscarriage. Symptoms do naturally reduce around 10 to 12 weeks as the placenta takes over, so this is not always a sign of loss.

No symptoms (missed miscarriage)

Sometimes called a silent or delayed miscarriage. The pregnancy has ended but the body has not yet responded. Usually discovered at a routine scan, which can be very unexpected.

What happens medically

Seeking help.Your GP or maternity unit will usually refer you to an early pregnancy unit (EPU), a specialist unit for early pregnancy complications. In many areas you can self-refer to an EPU. Look up “early pregnancy unit” and your local trust.

Tests. An ultrasound scan confirms whether the pregnancy is viable and identifies its location to rule out an ectopic pregnancy. A blood test checks hCG (the pregnancy hormone) and is sometimes repeated after 48 hours to see if levels are rising, falling or plateauing.

If a miscarriage is confirmed, you will usually be offered a choice of three management options. The right one is the one that feels right for you.

Option 1: Expectant management (watchful waiting)

  • Wait for the pregnancy to pass naturally, usually within 1 to 2 weeks.
  • Suitable for early miscarriage with no signs of infection.
  • At home, expect cramping, bleeding and passing tissue.
  • Paracetamol and a hot water bottle can help manage pain. Ibuprofen is not recommended in pregnancy, so check with your GP.

Option 2: Medical management (medication)

  • Tablets (usually misoprostol) placed in the vagina or under the tongue help the uterus contract.
  • Effect begins within hours and usually completes within a few days.
  • Can sometimes be taken at home, or monitored in hospital depending on your preference and unit.
  • Timing is more predictable than with expectant management.

Option 3: Surgical management (procedure)

  • A gentle suction procedure (manual vacuum aspiration, or surgical ERPC under general anaesthetic).
  • You can usually go home the same day.
  • Most suitable if the miscarriage is incomplete, bleeding is heavy, or you prefer a definitive option.
  • Risks are small and the team will talk them through carefully before you consent.

Causes

The majority of miscarriages (around 50 to 80 percent of those in the first trimester) happen because of a chromosomal problem in the pregnancy that occurs randomly during cell division. It is not related to anything either parent did. The NHS miscarriage guidance and Tommy's miscarriage support pages provide further detailed information.

Other factors linked to miscarriage in some cases:

  • Uterine or cervical abnormalities
  • Blood clotting conditions such as antiphospholipid syndrome
  • Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
  • Poorly controlled diabetes or thyroid conditions
  • Maternal age (risk rises gradually after 35, more so after 40)

Things that do not cause miscarriage

  • Exercise (safe in normal pregnancy)
  • Having sex
  • Eating or drinking something by mistake
  • Arguments, stress or emotional upset
  • A small fall or bump to the tummy in early pregnancy
  • Working, commuting or everyday lifting

Recurrent miscarriage

Recurrent miscarriage is defined as 3 or more consecutive miscarriages. It affects roughly 1 in 100 couples and should prompt a referral to a specialist recurrent miscarriage clinic. Ask your GP or midwife for this referral; you do not need to wait to “qualify” for support after a second loss.

Tests offered at a specialist clinic may include chromosomal testing, blood clotting screens, a detailed uterine scan and thyroid function tests. For some identified causes, such as antiphospholipid syndrome, treatments like low-dose aspirin and heparin can significantly improve outcomes in future pregnancies.

Emotional recovery

There is no right way to grieve a pregnancy loss. Some people feel devastated, others feel numb, and many feel a complex mix of sadness, guilt, anger and relief all at once. Every one of those responses is valid. Partners are affected too, and often grieve differently, which can feel isolating.

Physical recovery. Bleeding may last up to 2 weeks. Your period will usually return within 4 to 8 weeks.

Trying again. Most healthcare professionals suggest trying to conceive again once you have had one natural period, as long as you feel physically and emotionally ready. There is no medical reason to wait longer. Watch for early pregnancy signs and please seek emotional support at any point in the months that follow.

Some families find it helpful to have a small private memorial, plant something, or name their baby. Talking about the loss with trusted people or a counsellor can make a real difference. See the support organisations below.

UK support organisations

Miscarriage Association

Support groups, helpline, online chat and forum from the leading UK miscarriage charity.

Site: miscarriageassociation.org.uk

Phone: 0303 003 6464

Tommy's

Helpline staffed by midwives. Also funds UK research into pregnancy loss and prevention.

Site: tommys.org

Phone: 0800 014 7800

Sands

Stillbirth and neonatal death charity. Also supports late miscarriage and siblings.

Site: sands.org.uk

Phone: 0808 164 3332

Related guides and tools

Early signs of pregnancy→ Find your fertile window→ Due date calculator, when you are ready→ Mental health support→

A note from our team

This guide reflects NHS UK, Miscarriage Association and Tommy's guidance. We have written it as gently as we know how, because so many people read pages like this in the hardest moments of their lives. Please do reach out to one of the support organisations above if you need to talk. Read more about us.

Frequently asked questions

Is a miscarriage my fault?
No. Miscarriage is almost never caused by anything the parent did or did not do. The large majority of miscarriages in the first trimester happen because of a chromosomal problem in the pregnancy that occurs by chance at fertilisation. Exercise, sex, minor falls, arguments, stress or eating something by mistake do not cause miscarriage.
How common is miscarriage?
Around 1 in 8 known pregnancies ends in miscarriage. Many more happen very early, before the person knows they are pregnant. The risk is highest in the first 12 weeks and falls sharply after the 12-week scan. It is far more common than many people realise, partly because most miscarriages are not openly spoken about.
Can I try for another baby after a miscarriage?
Yes. Most healthcare professionals advise waiting until you have had one natural period so your body and hormone levels have returned to baseline. Beyond that, there is no medical reason to wait longer. Many people conceive again quickly. When you are emotionally ready matters just as much as physical recovery, and there is no right timeline.
What is a missed miscarriage?
A missed (or silent) miscarriage is when the pregnancy has ended but the body has not yet started to expel the pregnancy. There may be no symptoms at all. It is often discovered at a routine early pregnancy scan. Finding out this way can be a shock because nothing seemed wrong. You can choose expectant, medical or surgical management, just as with any miscarriage.
What is the difference between a miscarriage and an ectopic pregnancy?
A miscarriage is the loss of a pregnancy inside the uterus. An ectopic pregnancy is when the embryo implants outside the uterus, most often in a fallopian tube, and cannot develop safely. Ectopic pregnancy is a medical emergency. Warning signs include persistent one-sided abdominal pain, shoulder tip pain, feeling faint or dizzy, and vaginal bleeding. Call 999 or go to A&E if you have these symptoms.
Will I need surgery after a miscarriage?
Not usually. Most people are offered a choice of three options: expectant management (waiting for the pregnancy to pass naturally), medical management (tablets), or surgical management (a gentle suction procedure under anaesthetic). Surgery is only needed if the miscarriage is incomplete, if bleeding is very heavy, or if you prefer a more definitive option. The choice is yours.